Toy engine starting device



July 11, 1961 J. M. BARR TOY ENGINE STARTING DEVICE Sheet 1 2 Sheets-Filed May 20, 1960 JOSMH Mam/sow BAR/g INVENTOR. Wl-lA/V/V a McMA/V/GALAfforneys fbr Anal/Emu July 11, 1961 J, BARR 2,991,779

TOY ENGINE STARTING DEVICE Filed May 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOSIAHMORRISON BARR,

INVENTOR- W/"lA/V/V 8 McMA/V/GAL Af/arneys for A a alkali! United StatesPatent 2,991,779 TOY ENGINE STARTING DEVICE Josiah Morrison Barr,Manhattan Beach, Calif. Filed May 20, 1960, Ser. No. 30,516 25 Claims.(Cl. 123-179) This invention relates to starting dew'ces for toyinternal combustion engines of the type which can be adapted to drivetoy vehicles, and relates in particular to a toy engine starting deviceespecially suited for use in conjunction with the engines of toyairplanes.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationsentitled Starting Device for Toy Engines, Serial No. 692,924, filedOctober 28, 1957, now abandoned, and Starter for Toy Engines, Serial No.694,- 380, filed November 4, 1957, now abandoned.

It is an object of the invention to provide a toy engine starter havingparts related so as to form a starter unit which may be obtained as aself contained assembly and is applied as such to the toy engine and itsshaft. Some of the parts of the starter, for example, the clutch discs,are exceedingly small and their assembly into the clutch organization isdifficult. They may be readily dropped and lost in the course of normalusage, which means that the clutch is inoperative until the lost partsare replaced. In the present invention the loss of the small clutchparts is avoided for the reason that they are contained within theassembled clutch structure.

It is an object of the invention to provide a toy starting device havinga one-way clutch which is positive in its operation and instantaneouslyelfects driving engagement of the drive part and driven part. In thetype of starting device to which the invention pertains, failure of theclutch discs to engage is caused by the constant environment of oily andgummy substances. This is overcome in the present invention by a novelarrangement of 'parts wherein the oily and gummy substances whichpreviously defeated proper and consistent clutch operation are nowemployed to produce a positive clutching action. In forms of theinvention illustrated, the one-way clutch unit of the starter assemblymay be removed from the engine separately from the spring and itsconnecting means, making it possible to quickly and easily install a newone-way clutch which is made as a relatively inexpensive replacementpart.

In forms of the invention shown, a cam is connected to one of therelatively rotatable parts and wedge members in the form of small discsare employed to provide a means of clutching engagement between the camand the other of the relatively rotatable parts. These discs are verysmall, for example, about one-eighth inch in diameter. The inventionprovides a simple means for bringing a moving oil film into engagementwith the opposite faces of these discs so that they will be almostinstantaneously moved into clutching position when a predetermineddirection of relative rotation of the cooperat ing parts is established.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a clutch unit for astarting device of this character Wherein a circular clutch body has anannular recess leading in from one face thereof for receiving the camand the wedge elements of the clutch. The outer face of the recess isthen closed by a thin annular plate which is held in operative positionby a press fit between its periphery and the peripheral portion of theannular clutch part. Films of oil are maintained in engagement withopposite faces of the wedge members by the inner surfaces of the annularplate and of the radial wall of the annular clutch part. The small partsof the clutch are maintained by the annular plate within the annularcavity -of the rotatable clutch member so that they cannot be displacedand lost. Therefore, the clutch device may be handled by inexperiencedand even careless persons without the danger of the starting devicebeing rendered inoperative as the result of the loss of smallclutchparts therefrom. i v

It is a further object of the invention to provide-a 'st'arting deviceof this character having a rotatable-part of annular form adapted to beplaced in a position surrounding the engine shaft, this rotatable parthaving an outwardly faced annular cavity and an inwardly faced annularcavity, one of these cavities containing therein the simple one-wayclutch mechanism and the other containing a torsion spring for impartingrotation to the rotatable part. The small clutch parts are held inoperative position in their cavity by a thin annular -plate-which isinstalled in a position to cover the cavity and the" clutch partscontained therein.

It is an object of the invention to provide a starter unit wherein oneend of the torsion spring thereof is connected to the rotatable part andthe other end of the spring is attached to a connecting memberpositioned and formed so that it will move into nonrotating engagementwith the engine crankcase when the starter is installed on the engine.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be brought out inthe following part of the, specification wherein many small details havebeen described for the purpose of making a complete disclosure, withoutintending, however, to limit the scope of the invention which is definedby the accompanying claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which are for illustrativepurposes only:

FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned view showing a form' of the inventionconnected to a toy aircraft engine;

FIG. 2 is a cross section, to enlarged scale, taken as indicated by theline 2-2 of FIGS. 1 and '3;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by theline 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a quarter-section, taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of FIG.5, showing an alternative form of the invention adapted to be operatedby a pull cord;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross section, taken as indicated by the line6-6 of FIG. 3, showing the connecting hook on the spring of the device;

FIG. 7 is a partly sectioned view illustrating another form of theinvention connected to. a toy aircraft engine;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the form of theinvention shown in FIG. 7 of the toy engine starting device and engineand propeller parts with which it cooperates;

FIG. 9 is a cross section taken as indicated by the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross section taken as indicated by the line 10-10 of FIG.8;

FIG. 11 is a quarter section to enlarged scale showing an alternativedirection of winding the pull cord of-the device shown in FIG. 9; and 9FIG. 12 is an enlarged quarter section showing the position of thespring used when the cord is wound as shown in FIG. 11.

vFIG. 1 shows the nose end of a toy airplane fuselage 10 in which a toyinternal combustion engine 11 is mounted with its shaft projectingforwardly so that'a'toy the contiguous face 40 of each disc 32.

.A 3 rotatable part 19 which is fixed on the portion 20 of the shaft 16immediately adjacent the forward end of the tubular projection 17 of thetoy engine crankcase 14. The rotatable part 19 is a splined or press fiton the portion 20 of the shaft 16. A second rotatable part consists of a.tion 22 of the part 21 within the cavity 23 will not rotate relativelyto the part 21. The noncircular portion 22 has ,diarnetrally opposedfiat faces 26, as best shown in FIG. 2, and the cam member 25 isprovided with an opening 27 ,having flats 28 corresponding to the flatfaces 26 of the portion 22.

The cam member 25 is an annular plate having diametrally opposed camnotches 29 each defined by a cam edge or face 30 adapted to meet theinner end of an end wall 31 which extends parallel to a center line a--awhich intersects the center of rotation of the shaft 16. Clutch wedges32, consisting of small discs, are disposed in the cam notches 29adjacent the end walls 31. The cam faces 30, clockwise from the centerline 33, converge toward the inner surface 33 of the cylindricalperipheral wall 34 of the rotatable part 19 which surrounds the cavity23. Accordingly, if the member 19 is rotated in clockwise direction, asviewed in FIG. 2, the wedges 32 will become wedged between the cam faces30 of the cam member 25 and the inner surface 33 of the peripheral wall34 and the cam mechanism shown will lock the parts 19 and 21 togetherfor simultaneous rotation. Similarly, counterclockwise rotation of thecam member 25 will be transmitted through the wedges 32 to theperipheral wall 34 of the rotatable part 19.

The lip 35 of the cylindrical wall 34 has therein a shallow counterbore37 to receive the periphery of a thin annular plate 38 which surroundsthe rotatable part 21 and closes the otherwise open end of the cavity23. As seen in FIG. 3, the inner face 39 of the plate 38 lies close toThe depth of the cavity 23 is such that the opposite faces 41 of thediscs 32 lie close to the face 42 of the radial wall of the member 19.This cooperative arrangement of parts employs lubricant and gummysubstances which enter the clutch mechanism, and which frequentlyrenders inoperative the one-way clutch mechanisms of toy enginestarters, as means for improving the action of toy one-way clutchmechanisms with respect to their quick response to relative-rotation ofclutch parts intended to effect engagement 7 of the wedges or discs withthe driving and driven clutch parts. Narrow spaces are provided betweenthe spaces 40 and 41 of the discs 32 and the surfaces 39 and 42. Greaseor oil entering these thin spaces form films which tend to resistrelative movement between the disc 32 and the surfaces 39 and 42, withthe result that when the rotatable part is rotated in clockwisedirection, the films will move the discs 32 into tight engagement withthe cam faces 30 and the inner surface 33 of the peripheral wall 34.Only a relatively small angular movement of the part 19 is required tobring the discs 32 into clutching j position.

The second rotatable part 21 is connected to the engine through springmeans comprising a coil spring 44 surrounding a portion of the member 21and having its inner end connected thereto by suitable means such as 'arivet 45. An anchor member 46 connects the outer end of the spring 44 tothe engine This anchor member 46 consists of a cup having a bottom wall47 which rests against the engine crankcase 14, and a cylindrical wall48 which surrounds the spring 44 and to which the outer end of thespring 44 is connected by means of a detachable connection consisting ofa hook 49 formed engagement. A pin 50 fixed in the wall 47 of the cup 46projects into an opening 51 in the wall of the crankcase 14.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, is asfollows. The propeller 12 is rotated manually in clockwise direction.This clockwise rotation is imparted to the first rotatable part 19 whichis fixed on the shaft. The oil films between the discs 32 and thesurfaces 39 and 41 carry the discs 32 in clockwise direction so thatthey are brought into wedging position between the cam faces 29 and thesurface 33. The oneway clutch mechanism then transmits clockwiserotation to the second rotatable part 21 so that the inner end of thespring 44 is rotated in clockwise direction and energy is thereby storedin the spring 44 tending to rotate the rotatable part 21 incounterclockwise direction. The propeller is then released and thetorsion spring 44 acting through the rotatable part 21 and the one-wayclutch rotates the rotatable part 19 in counterclockwise rotation, sothat the shaft 16 will be thereby rotated in counterclockwise directionwhich is the proper direction of rotation of the engine during itsoperation. When the energy of the spring 44 has become released androtation of the rotatable part 21 stops, the one-way clutch will releaseand the discs 32 will be moved into engagement with the end walls 31 ofthe notches 29 which are at this time stationary.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a form of the invention which employs,in addition to the parts previously described, a pull cord 55 which iswound upon a spool 56 mounted on the second rotatable part 21. In FIGS.4 and 5, the previously described parts are given the same numerals sothat a repetition of the description will not be necessary. The spool 56is positioned between the plate 38 of the rotatable part 19 and thespring 44. The hub 57 of the spool 56 has therein a noncircular opening58 corresponding to the opening 27 in the cam so that it will fit thenoncircular portion 22 of the rotatable part 21. As will be seen in FIG.4, the diametrally opposed fiat faces 26 of the rotatable part 21 areextended in the direction of the engine 14 so as to accommodate thereonthe hub 58 of the spool 56. The cuplike anchor member 46 is providedwith an extension 60 lying outside the periphery of the spool 56 andhaving therein an opening 61 through which the cord 55 extends. The cord55 is provided with a loop 62 by which it may be manually engaged, andhas theron a stop 63, such as a knot, for example, for limiting therewind movement of the cord 55.

When the cord 55 is pulled outwardly from the position in which it isshown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it will effect rotation of the spool 56, whichwill in turn rotate the second rotatable part 21 and effect a winding ofthe spring. The direction in which the clutch mechanism acts is determined by the manner in which the starter is to be operated. For example,if the cord 55 is wound upon the spool 56 in clockwise direction, asshown in FIG. 5, it will rotate the spool 56 and the parts connectedthereto in clockwise direction when it is pulled outwardly. In this useof the invention the spring 44 will be placed in the same direction ofwinding as described with relation to FIG. 3, and the cam 25 will beplaced as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, clockwise rotation of the spool 56will wind the spring 44 and will rotate the cam 25 in clockwisedirection within the cavity of the first rotatable part 19. Then, whenthe cord has been pulled out to its full extent, it may be released sothat the spring 44 will rotate the member 21 and the cam 25 incounterclockwise direction, and this counterclockwise rotation of thecam will '55 are wound may effect actuation of the clutch so thatcounterclockwise,

engine-starting rotation will be transmitted to the part 19.

The directions in which the spring 44 and the cord be reversed fromthose described in the foregoing. The cord 55 will be then wound incounterclockwise direction on the spool 56 instead of in the clockwisedirection in which it is shown wound in FIG.

'5. Then, when the cord is'pulled outwardly, the counterclockwiserotation of the spool by the cord will be transmitted through the part21 to the cam plate 25 and also to the spring 44. The clutch mechanismwill be actuated to transmit counterclockwise rotation through therotatable part 19 to the shaft 16 to start the engine, and at the sametime the spring 44 will be Wound, storing therein energy to rotate thespool 56 in rewind direction when the pulling force is released from the'cord 55, and therefore, as the spring 44 unwinds, the cord 55 will berewound upon the spool 56 ready for a succeeding operation of thestarter mechanism.

In one practice of the invention, the one-way clutch unit C consistingof the parts 19, 38, 25 and 32, may be separated from the remainingparts of the starter which may be left in place on the engine when theone-way clutch is removed. Removal of the clutch unit C, comprisesmerely sliding it rightwardly from the position in which it is shown inFIG. 3 and thereby sliding the cam member 25 off from the end 22 ofmember 21 which may remain on the projection 17 of the engine 14. Thereplacement clutch slides readily into the position of one removed. Ifreplacement of a broken spring is required, the part 21 which has theinner end of the spring 44 attached thereto may he slid rightwardly fromthe tubular projection 17 and the spring hook 49 may be readilydisengaged from the slot 49a, after which the replacement spring unitconsisting of the parts 21 and 44 may be quickly installed.

If the pull cord 55 of FIGS. 4 and 5 becomes broken,

the spool 56 may be readily slid off from the end 20 of the member 21 tohave the cord thereof replaced. The

cylindrical wall 48 may be permanently connected to the engine, ifdesired, for example, the pin 50 may be a press fit in the opening 51 soas to hold the cup member 46 permanently in place, or, if the entirestarter mechanism is to be removed as a unit, the pin 50 may be asliding fit in the opening 51.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated another form of the invention in a toyairplane fuselage 70 in which a toy internal combustion engine 71 ismounted. Its crankshaft 72 projects forwardly so that a propeller 73 maybe secured thereon by a cap nut 74. The engine 71 has a crankcase 75provided with a bearing 76, as shown in FIG. 8, for the crankshaft 72,this bearing 76 having a projecting" tubular portion 77.

For starting the toy engine 71, a toy engine starter 78 is provided andpositioned between the crankcase 75 and the propeller 73. The toy enginestarter 78 includes a driven member consisting of an annular rotatablepart 79, shown in FIGS. 8and 9, which is fixed on the stepped portion 80of the shaft 72 contiguous to the end of the projection 77 of thecrankcase 75. The rotatable part 79 is a splined or press fit on theportion 80 of the shaft 72 and is held on the shaft portion 80 by thepropeller 73 which is in turn held in place by the cap nut 74, rotationof the propeller 73 relatively to the shaft 72 being prevented by radialridges 81 arranged in a circle on the outer radial face of the drivenmember 79 for engagement with the contiguous portion of the impeller 73.

A driving member 82 is positioned so as to surround adjacent portions ofthe tubular extension 77 and the driven member 79. It comprises acircular body 83 having therein an annular outwardly faced recess orcavity 84 and an inwardly faced annular recess or cavity 85, thesecavities 84 and 85 being separated by an annular radial wall 86. Theannular body 83 has a cylindrical wall portion 87 forming a peripheralwall around'the 16 cavity 84 and also a cylindrical wall portion 8awhich surrounds the inwardly faced annular cavity 85.

Within the outwardly faced cavity 84 there is an annular cam plate 89having a n'on'circular opening 90 to receive the contiguous portion 91of the driven member 79 which is of corresponding noncircular form sothat relative rotation of the cam plate 89 and the driven member 79 isprevented, and therefore, simultaneous rotation of the parts 89 and 79is effected. The cam plate 89 has therein diametrically opposed notches92 defined by cam faces 93 and end faces 94, the latter being parallelto a diametral center line b'b which is 'perpendicul'arto the cam faces93. Clutch wedge elements 95 are disposed in the notches 92, consistingof small discs of such diameter that when appropriate relative rotationof the cam plate 89 and the driving member 88 occurs, the discs 95 willbe tightly wedged against the peripheral wall 87, thereby clutching thedriving and' driven members 88 and 79 together.

An annular outer cover plate 97 extends radially "im wardly from theperipheral wall 87 in a position to conceal the discs 95 and at least aportion of the cam plate '89. The driving member 82 is connected to theengine by torsion spring means 98 consisting of a spiral spring 99, theouter end of which is connected to the circumferential wall 88 of theannular body 83 by a hook which is bent on the end of the spring 99 andis adapted to be received by a slot 100: in the wall 88, and a ringmember 101 which is attached to the inner end of the spring and connectsit to the projecting tubular portion 77 of the crankcase 75. As shown inFIG. 10, the external surface 102 of the projecting tubular portion 77,the annular body 82, the one-way clutch parts 89 and 95, the spring 99and the ring 101 comprise a unit which may be readily moved into theposition in which it is shown in the drawing. The ring member 101 willslide readily onto the tubular portion 77 as the unit is brought intoits operative position. Then, the driven member 79 may be moved alongthe projecting portion of the shaft 72 into its operative position upontheshaft portion 80. If the cam plate 89 is fixed on the driven member79 all of the parts of the toy starting device 78 will forma single unitwhich may be installed upon orremoved from the crankcase and shaft parts77 and 80. The annular body 83 of the driving member 82 has thereonparallel radially directed annular flanges 106- so as to form a spool107 on which a pull cord 108-may be Wound.

The cover plate 97 has, in addition to the valuable function of holdingthe small clutch parts 89 and 95' in the cavity 84, the utility ofholding a film of:oil, grease or gummy substances in contact with theouter faces 100 of the discs 95 to cooperate'with the film of oil,grease or gummy substance which exists between the surface of the radialwall 86 of the driving member 82 and the leftward or inner faces 101 ofthe discs 95, to cause immediate movement of the discs 95 in clockwisedirection, FIG. 9, from the positions in which they are shown, when thedriving member 82 is rotated in clockwise direction, thereby causingimmediate wedgi'ng or clutching engagement of the discs 95 with thewedge faces 93 and the peripheral wall 87.

In the form of the invention shown in the FIGS; 7-9, the pull cord 108is wound on the spool 107 in such direction that when the pull cord ispulled outwardly force applied to the loop 109 on its outer en'd,'thedriving member 82 will be thereby rotated in counterclockwise direction.Counterclockwise rotation of the driving member 82, effected by pullingout the pull cord 108 is transmitted through the clutch parts 95 and 89to the driven member 79, thereby rotating the shaft 72 in the properdirection, counterclockwise to start the engine. The spring 99, as shownin FIG. 10, is wound in'counterclockwise direction so'tha't when thedriving member 8 2 is rotated in counterclockwise direction-Windingofand storage of energy in the spring 99 will take place. When pullingforce is released from the pull cord 108, the spring 99 will unwind andreturn the driving member 82 to its original position, rewinding thepull oord 108 on the spool 107 so that it will be ready for a subsequentoperation.

In the foregoing, I have described a method of operation of theinvention wherein the force applied to the pull cord is transmittedinstantly through the clutch means to the engine shaft, the spring beingused to rewind the, pull cord when the pulling force thereon has beenreleased. The invention may be used in such a manner that the forceapplied in pulling out the pull cord is used in winding the spring so asto store energy therein, the release of the pull cord then permittingthe spring to unwind and transmit its energy through the clutchmechanism to the engine shaft to rotate it in proper direction to startthe engine. In FIGS. 11 and 12, I show that the pull cord 108 is woundon the drum 107 in clockwise direction and that the spring 99 is placedso that clocklwise rotation of the member 82 will wind the spring 99.

Referring to FIG. 11, outward pull upon the cord 108 will rotate themember 82 in clockwise direction. The clutch mechanism will be at thistime inactive for the reason that the cam faces 93 of the cam plate 89are disposed so that actuation of the clutch is effected bycounterclockwise rotation of the driving member 82. Therefore, the shaft72 will not be driven, but the rotation of the driving member 82 willwind the spring. When the pull cord is released the spring 99 willunwind and rotate the driving member 82 in counterclockwise direction,effecting actuation of the clutch mechanism and rotating the engineshaft 80 in counterclockwise direction to start the engine and alsorewind the pull cord 108.

Referring to FIGS. 9, l1 and 12, the winding of the spring 99,positioned as shown in FIG. 12, may be ac- 'complished by rotating thepropeller 73 by hand in clock- '-wise direction. The clockwise rotationof the propeller 73 will be transmitted to the driven member 79, whichwill rotate the clutch plate 89 in clockwise direction, causing the camfaces 93 thereof to force the wedge elements 95 into engagement with theperipheral wall 87 of the member 82 so that it will rotate in clockwisedirection and wind the spring 99. When the propeller 73 is released, theunwinding of the spring 99 will rotate the remaining parts of thestarter mechanism in counterclockwise direction so as to rotate theshaft 72 in counterclockwise, engine-starting direction. In this use ofthe invention the pull cord 108 and the flanges 106 are omitted.

I claim:

1. In a starting device for a toy engine or the like having a shaftconnected to the crank of the engine: a first rotary part comprising anannular body having an annular cavity in one face thereof providing aradial wall sur- -rounded by a peripheral wall; a second rotary parthav- -ing a portion thereof projecting into said cavity; one-way clutchmeans in said cavity comprising a cam member and a wedge member, one ofsaid members engaging said peripheral wall and the other of said membersengaging the portion of said second rotary part which projects into saidcavity; an annular plate connected to the periphery of said annular bodyof said first rotary part and extending across the outer part of saidcavity to provide a covering wall overlying said wedge member, saidradial wall and said covering wall being spaced to provide, in thepresence of oily and gummy substances, adhering contact between at leastone of said radial and covering walls with said wedge member which willeffect, upon relative movement between said walls and said cam member,movement of said wedge member into driving engagement between said cammember and said peripheral wall;

,means for connecting one of said rotary parts to said shaft; andtorsion spring means for connecting the other of said rotary parts tosaid engine,

2. In a starting device for a toy engine or the like having a shaftconnected to the crank of the engine: a first rotary part comprising anannular body having an annular cavity in one face thereof providing aradial wall surrounded by a peripheral wall; a second rotary partcontiguous to said first rotary part; a cam member in said cavityconnected to said second rotary part; drive wedge means between said cammember and said peripheral wall; an annular plate connected to theperiphery of said annular body of said first rotary part and extendingacross the outer part of said cavity to provide a covering walloverlying said wedge means, said radial wall and said covering wallbeing spaced to provide, in the presence of oily and gummy substances,adhering contact between at least one of said radial and covering wallswith said wedge means which will eflect, upon relative movement betweensaid walls and said cam member, movement of said wedge means intodriving engagement between said cam member and said peripheral wall; hubmeans on said first rotary part for connecting it to said shaft; andspring means for connecting said second rotary part to said engine,comprising an annular wall surrounding a portion of said second rotarypart, and a torsion spring having one end connected to said secondrotary part and the other end connected to said engine.

3. In a starting device for a toy engine or the like having a shaftconnected to the crank of the engine: a first rotary part comprising anannular body having an annular cavity in one face thereof providing aradial wall surrounded by a peripheral wall; a second rotary partcontiguous to said first rotary part; a cam member in said cavityconnected to said second rotary part; drive wedge means between said cammember and said peripheral wall; an annular plate connected to theperiphery of said annular body of said first rotary part and extendingacross the outer part of said cavity to provide a covering walloverlying said wedge means, said radial wall and said covering wallbeing spaced to provide, in the presence of oily and gummy substances,adhering contact between at least one of said radial and covering wallswith said wedge means which will effect, upon relative movement betweensaid walls and said cam member, movement of said wedge means intodriving engagement between said cam member and said peripheral wall;means for connecting one of said rotary parts to said shaft; and torsionsprings means for connecting the other of said rotary parts to saidengine.

4. In a starting device for a toy engine or the like having a shaftconnected to the crank of an engine: a first rotary part comprising anannular body having a radial wall and an axial wall defining a cavity inone face thereof; a second rotary part; one-way clutch means in saidcavity comprising a cam member and a wedge member, one of said membersengaging said axial wall and the other of said members operativelyconnected to said second rotary part; an annular plate associated withsaid first rotary part so as to rotate therewith and extending acrossthe outer part of said cavity to provide a covering wall overlying saidwedge member, said radial wall and said covering wall being spaced toprovide, in the presence of oily and gummy substances, adhering contactbetween at least one of said radial and covering walls with said wedgemember which will effect, upon relative movement between said walls andsaid cam member, movement of said wedge member into driving engagementbetween said cam member and said axial wall; means for connecting one ofsaid rotary parts to said shaft; and torsion spring means for connectingthe other of said rotary parts to said engine.

5. In a toy clutch device adapted to connect a rotatable member to asecond member: a first plate element having a cylindrical wall on oneface thereof; a second plate element connected to the periphery of saidcylindrical wall and providing a cavity between said plate elements; acam member in said cavity; drive disc means in e se-1,779

said cayity between said cam member and said cylindrical wall, saidplate elements being in overlying relationship to said disc means andbeing spaced to permit free movement of said disc means into engagementbetween said cam member and said cylindrical wall, said spaced overlyingrelationship between said plate elements and said disc means providing,in the presence of oily and gummy substances, adhering contact betweenat least one of said plate elements and said disc means which willeffect, upon relative movement between said plate elements and said cammember, movement of said disc means into engagement between said cammember and said cylindrical wall; means for connecting at least one ofsaid plate elements to said rotatable member; and means for connectingsaid cam member to said second member.

6. In a toy clutch device adapted to connect a rotatable member to asecond member: a first plate element having a cylindrical wall providinga cavity on one face of said first plate element; a cam member in saidcavity; drive disc means in said cavity between said cam member and saidcylindrical wall; a second plate element connected to the periphery ofsaid cylindrical wall and extending across the outer part of said cavityin overlying relationship to said disc means and being spaced to permitfree movement of said disc means into engagement between said cam memberand said cylindrical wall, said spaced overlying relationship betweensaid plate elements and said disc means providing, in the presence ofoily and gummy substances, adhering contact between at least one of saidplate elements and said disc means which will effect, upon relativemovement between said plate elements and said cam member, movement ofsaid disc means into engagement between said cam member and "saidcylindrical wall; means for connecting at least one of said plateelements to said rotatable member; and means for connecting said cammember to said second member.

7. In a toy starting device for a toy engine having a shaft, thecombination of: a first rotary part adapted to be drivably secured tosaid shaft and having a cavity formed by a side wall and a cylindricalwall, a second rotary part positioned adjacent to said first rotary parton the side of said cavity, said second rotary part being axiallyaligned with said first rotary part and being rotatable relative to saidfirst rotary part and said shaft; spring means connected to said secondrotary part for rotating the same in one direction; overrunning clutchmeans for "drivably connecting said first rotary part and said secondrotary part in one direction, said overrunning clutch means havingcooperating cam means and wedge means positioned in said cavity, saidcam means being secured to one of said rotary parts and said wedge meansbeing positioned between said cam means and the other of said rotaryparts; and a radial wall secured to said cylindrical wall of said firstrotary part and projecting across a portion of said cavity so as tocover said wedge means.

8. In' a toy starting device for a toy engine having a shaft, thecombination of: a first rotary part adapted to be drivably secured tosaid shaft and having a cavity formed by a side wall and a cylindricalwall; a second rotary part positioned adjacent to said first rotary parton the side of said cavity, said secondrotary part being axially alignedwith said first rotary part and being ro'tatable relative to said firstrotary part and said shaft;

spring means connected to said second rotary part for rotating the samein one direction; overrunning clutch means for drivably connecting saidfirst rotary part and said second rotary part in one direction, saidoverrunning clutch means having cooperating cam means and wedge meanspositioned in said cavity, said cam means being secured to one of saidrotary parts and said wedge means being positioned between said cammeans and the other of said rotary parts; and a radial wall secured tosaid cylindrical wall of said first rotary part-andprojecting across 'aportio'n of said cavity so as to cover said wedge means,

10 whereby in the presence of oil and gummy substances in said cavitysaid wedge means will have adhering contact between either said sidewall or said radial wall causing said wedge means upon relative rotationbetween said cam means and said cylindrical wall to have drivingengagement between said first and second rotary parts.

9. In a toy starting device for a toy engine having a shaft, thecombination of: a first rotary part adapted to be drivably secured tosaid shaft and having a cavity formed by a side wall and a cylindricalperipheral wall; a second rotary part positioned adjacent to said firstrotary part on the side of said cavity, said second rotary part beingaxially aligned with said first rotary part and being rotatable relativeto said first rotary part and said shaft; spring means connected to saidsecond rotary part for rotating the same in one direction; overrunningclutch means for drivably connecting said first rotary part and saidsecond rotary part in one direction, said overrunning clutch meanshaving cam means positioned in said cavity inside said peripheralcylindrical wall and secured to said second rotary part and wedge meanspositioned between said cam means and said cylindrical peripheral wall;and a radial wall secured to said cylindrical peripheral wall of saidfirst rotary part and extending inwardly between said first rotary partand said second rotary part and forming a closed cavity in which saidwedge means is contained.

10. In a toy engine starting device for a toy engine having a shaftconnected to the piston of the engine: a

driving member surrounding the axis of said shaft, having an annularcavity defined by a radial wall and a peripheral wall; a driven memberconnected to said shaft;

a cam plate connected to said driven member and lying within saidcavity; wedge clutching elements disposed between said cam plate andsaid peripheral wall of said driving member; an annular wall connectedto said peripheral wall and extending radially inwardly to cover saidclutching elements and hold a film of oil in contact therewith; andtorsion spring means connecting said driving member to the crankcase ofsaid engine.

11". In a toy engine starting device for a toy engine having a shaftconnected to the piston of the engine: a driving member surrounding theaxis of said shaft, having an annular cavity defined by a radial walland a peripheral wall; a driven member connected to said shaft; a camplate connected to said driven member and lying Within 'said cavity;wedge clutching elements disposed between said cam plate and saidperipheral wall of said driving member; an annular wall connected tosaid peripheral wall and extending radially inwardly to cover saidclutching elements and hold a film of oil in contact therewith; andtorsion spring means connecting said driving member to the crankcase ofsaid engine, said spring means comprising a coil spring having one endthereof connected to said'driving member, and means connected to theother end of said spring and being adapted for 'nonr'otative engagementwith said engine when said driving member is moved into its operativeposition surrounding said axis of said shaft.

12. In a toy engine starting device for a toy engine having a crankcaseand a shaft connected to the piston of the engine: a driving membersurrounding the axis of said shaft, having an annular cavity defined bya radial wall and a peripheral wall; a driven member connected to saidshaft; one-way clutch means in said cavity for connecting said drivingand driven members; and an annular Wall extending radially from theperipheral wall of said drivof said sh-aft, having an annular cavitydefined by a radial wall and a peripheral wall; a driven memberconnected to said shaft; one-way clutch means in said cavity forconnecting said driving and driven members; an annular wall extendingradially from the peripheral wall of said driving member to retain saidclutch means in said cavity; and torsion spring means connecting saiddriving member to the crankcase of said engine, said spring meanscomprising a coil spring having one end thereof connected to saiddriving member, and means connected to the other end of said spring andbeing adapted for nonrotative engagement with said engine when saiddriving member is moved into its operative position surrounding saidaxis of said shaft.

14. In a toy engine starting device for a toy engine having a crankcaseand a shaft connected to the piston of the engine and a tubularextension projecting from the engine crankcase and surrounding a portionof said shaft; a driving member surrounding the axis of said shaft,having an annular cavity defined by a radial wall and a peripheral wall;a driven member connected to said shaft; a cam plate connected to saiddriven member and lying within said cavity; wedge clutching elementsdisposed between said cam plate and said peripheral wall of said drivingmember; an annular wall connected to said peripheral wall and extendingradially inwardly to cover said clutching elements and hold a film ofoil in contact therewith; and torsion spring means connecting saiddriving member to the crankcase of said engine, said spring meanscomprising a coil spring having one end thereof connected to saiddriving member, and a ring member connected to the other end of saidspring and being positioned so that it will slide onto said tubularextension of said engine crankcase and make nonrotative engagementtherewith when said toy engine started is installed in operativeposition.

15. In a toy engine starting device for a toy engine having a crankcaseand a shaft connected to the piston of the engine and a tubularextension projecting from the engine crankcase and surrounding a portionof said shaft: a driving member surrounding the axis of said shaft,having an annular cavity defined by a radial wall and a peripheral wall;a driven member connected to said shaft; one-way clutch means in saidcavity for connecting said driving and driven members; an annular wallextending radially from the peripheral wall of said driving member toretain said clutch means in said cavity; and torsion spring meansconnecting said driving member to the crankcase of said engine, saidspring means comprising a coil spring having one end thereof connectedto said driving member, and a ring member connected to the other end ofsaid spring and being positioned so that it will slide onto said tubularextension of said engine crankcase and make nonrotative engagementtherewith when said toy engine starter is installed in operativeposition.

16. In a toy engine starting device for a toy engine having a crankcaseand a shaft connected to the piston of the engine: a driving membersurrounding the axis of said shaft, having an annular cavity defined bya radial wall and a peripheral wall; a driven member connected to saidshaft; a cam plate connected to said driven member and lying within saidcavity; wedge clutching elements disposed between said cam plate andsaid peripheral wall of said driving member; an annular wall connectedto said peripheral wall and extending radially inwardly to cover saidclutching elements and hold a film of oil in contact therewith; torsionspring means connecting said driving member to the crankcase of saidengine; and a .spool connected to said driving member to receive a pullcord for imparting rotation to the driving member.

17. In a toy engine starting device for a toy engine having a shaftconnected to the piston of the engine: a driving member surrounding theaxis of said shaft, having an annular cavity defined by a radial walland a pcripheral wall; a driven member connected to said shaft; a camplate connected to said driven member and lying within said cavity;wedge clutching elements disposed between said cam plate and saidperipheral wall of said driving member; an annular wall connected tosaid peripheral wall and extending radially inwardly to cover saidclutching elements and hold a film of oil in contact therewith; torsionspring means connecting said driving member to the crankcase of saidengine, said spring means comprising a coil spring having one endthereof connected to said driving member, and means connected to theother end of said spring and being adapted for nonrotative engagementwith said engine when said driving member is moved into its operativeposition surrounding said axis of said shaft; and a spool connected tosaid driving member to receive a pull cord for imparting rotation to thedriving member.

18. In a toy engine starting device for a toy engine having a shaftconnected to the piston of the engine and a tubular extension projectingfrom the engine crankcase and surrounding a portion of said shaft; adriving member surrounding the axis of said shaft, having an annularcavity defined by a radial wall and a peripheral wall; a driven memberconnected to said shaft; one-way clutch means in said cavity forconnecting said driving and driven members; an annular wall extendingradially from the peripheral wall of said driving member to retain saidclutch means in said cavity; torsion spring means connecting saiddriving member to the crankcase of said engine, said spring meanscomprising a. coil spring having one end thereof connected to saiddriving member, and a ring member connected to the other end of saidspring and being positioned so that it will slide onto said tubularextension of said engine crankcase and make nonrotative engagementtherewith when said toy engine starter is installed in operativeposition; and a spool connected to said driving member to receive a pullcord for impart ing rotation to the driving member.

19. In a starting device for an engine having a shaft connected to thepiston of the engine: a driving member having a central opening andbeing adapted to surround a portion of said shaft, said member having anoutwardly faced annular cavity and an inwardly faced annular cavity; adriven member adapted to be connected to said shaft; one-way clutchmeans in said outwardly faced cavity for connecting said driving anddriven members; means for holding said one-way clutch in said outwardlyfaced cavity; a torsion spring in said inwardly faced cavity having oneend thereof connected to said driving member; and connecting meansattached to the other end of said spring adapted to make nonrotativeengagement with said engine when said starting device is installed.

20. In a starting device for an engine having a shaft connected to thepiston of the engine and a tubular extension projecting from the enginecrankcase and surrounding a portion of said shaft: a driving memberhaving a central opening and being adapted to surround a portion of saidshaft, said member having an outwardly faced annular cavity and aninwardly faced annular cavity; a driven member adapted to be connectedto said shaft; one-way clutch means in said outwardly faced cavity forconnecting said driving and driven members; means for holding saidone-way clutch in said outwardly faced cavity; a spiral spring in saidinwardly faced cavity having its outer end connected to said drivingmember; and a ring member connected to the inner end of said spring andbeing adapted to slide onto and make nonrotative engagement with saidextension of said engine crankcase when said starting device isinstalled in operative position.

21. In a starting device for an engine having a shaft connected to thepiston of the engine: a driving member having a central opening andbeing adapted to surround a portion of said shaft, said member having anoutwardly faced annular cavity and an inwardly faced annular cavity; adriven member adapted to be connected to said shaft and having a portionprojecting within the central part of said outwardly faced cavity; a camplate in said outwardly faced cavity having an opening to receive saidportion of said driven member, said cam plate and said driven memberhaving engagement for preventing relative rotation thereof; wedgeelements between said cam plate and the peripheral wall of said cavity;an annular radial wall connected to the outer face of said drivingmember so as to hold said cam plate and said wedge elements in saidoutwardly faced cavity; a torsion spring in said inwardly faced cavityhaving one end thereof connected to said driving member; and connectingmeans attached to the other end of said spring adapted to makenonrotative engagement with said engine when said starting device isinstalled.

22. In a starting device for an engine having a shaft connected to thepiston of the engine and a tubular extension projecting from the enginecrankcase and surrounding a portion of said shaft; a driving memberhaving a central opening and being adapted to surround a portion of saidshaft, said member having an outwardly faced annular cavity and aninwardly faced annular cavity; a driven member adapted to be connectedto said shaft and having a portion projecting within the central part ofsaid outwardly faced cavity; a cam plate in said outwardly faced cavityhaving an opening to receive said portion of said driven member, saidcam plate and said driven member having engagement for preventingrelative rotation thereof; wedge elements between said cam plate and theperipheral wall of said cavity; an annular radial wall connected to theouter face of said driving member so as to hold said cam plate and saidwedge elements in said outwardly faced cavity; a spiral spring in saidinwardly faced cavity having its outer end con nected to said drivingmember; and a ring member connected to the inner end of said spring andbeing adapted to slide onto and make nonrotative engagement with saidextension of said engine crankcase when said starting device isinstalled in operative position.

23. In a toy engine starting device for a toy engine having a crankcaseand a shaft connected to the piston of the engine: a first rotatablepart surrounding the axis of said shaft, having an annular cavitydefined by a radial wall and a peripheral wall; a second rotatable partconnected to said shaft; a cam plate connected to said second rotatablepart and lying within said cavity; wedge clutching elements disposedbetween said cam plate and said peripheral wall of said driving member;an annular wall connected to said peripheral wall and extending radiallyinwardly to cover said clutching elements and hold a film of oil incontact therewith; and torsion spring means connecting said firstrotatable part to the crankcase of said engine.

24. In a starting device for an engine having a shaft connected to thepiston 0f the engine: a first rotatable part having a central openingand being adapted to surround a portion of said shaft, said part havingan out wardly faced annular cavity and an inwardly faced annular cavity;a second rotatable part adapted to be connected to said shaft; one-wayclutch means in said outwardly faced cavity for connecting said firstand second rotatable parts; means for holding said one-way clutch insaid outwardly faced cavity; a torsion spring in said inwardly facedcavity having one end thereof connected to said first rotatable part;and connecting means attached to the other end of said spring adapted tomake nonrotative engagement with said engine when said starting deviceis installed.

25. In a clutch device for connecting a shaft to another member: a firstrotatable part having a central opening and being adapted to surround aportion of said shaft, said part having an outwardly faced annularcavity and an inwardly faced annular cavity; a second rotatable partadapted to be connected to said shaft; one-Way clutch means in saidoutwardly faced cavity for connecting said first and second rotatableparts; means for holding said one-way clutch in said outwardly facedcavity; and means in said inwardly faced cavity for connecting saidfirst rotatable part to said other member.

No references cited.

